By Hezbollah fired a fresh barrage of attacks into northern Israel on Thursday, intensifying fears of a wider conflict following the unprecedented detonation of hundreds of electronic devices across Lebanon that left at least 32 dead and over 3,000 injured.
The militant group announced early Thursday that it had targeted military positions in northern Israel, though it did not specify the weapons used. Israeli hospitals reported treating at least eight patients injured in these attacks. In response, the Israeli military confirmed overnight strikes on several militant sites in southern Lebanon.
This exchange comes in the wake of a two-day operation that saw pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members explode across Lebanon, in what appears to be a coordinated Israeli effort to disrupt the group’s communications network. The blasts affected not only Hezbollah fighters but also civilians associated with the group’s social branches, including two children among the fatalities.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hinted at a new phase in the conflict, stating on Wednesday, “We are at the start of a new phase in the war — it requires courage, determination and perseverance.” He added that the “center of gravity is shifting to the north by diverting resources and forces,” though he did not directly reference the electronic device bombings.
The ongoing exchanges have resulted in hundreds of casualties in Lebanon and dozens in Israel, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border. Despite international pressure to avoid all-out war, Israeli leaders have recently warned of potential escalated military action against Hezbollah.
Lebanon continues to grapple with the aftermath of the mass bombings, with the Lebanese Army working to locate and detonate suspicious communication devices. Civil aviation authorities have banned pagers and walkie-talkies on all flights departing from Beirut’s international airport.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is scheduled to speak later Thursday, with the group vowing retaliation against Israel. The situation remains highly volatile, with fears mounting of a broader conflict in the region.
